Tuesday Thanksgiving – 31 Days, Day 8 & Blogtoberfest 2013

Because there are documented benefits to a regular practice of gratitude, I take Tuesdays to give thanks for all the things that are amazing and incredible in my life. This week, I am thankful for the following:

My family. I cannot be thankful or grateful enough for all of the support and love they give to me and to Sweet Husband. I’m staying with family will working during the week, and it’s a lot to open your home to people. Living with another person, moving to their rhythms, adjusting to their habits, and there has been wonderful grace and hospitality to me. Sweet Husband and I couldn’t do this without them.

Sweet Husband. This transition back to work and the way that we are doing it is incredibly difficult. He’s living a bachelor life and holding down the fort while I’m away. It is not easy for either of us, but I think it’s probably more difficult for him than it is for me. I appreciate him letting me do this.

My work. Even though there are really, really difficult days (like yesterday), I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I can’t picture easing back into teaching in any better way. I’m enjoying the work that I’m doing, and by all accounts, I’m doing a good job. I’m feeling really strong and competent, which is something I haven’t felt in my work in a long time. It’s a very, very good thing.

Coffee. I struggled through two weeks because I couldn’t get up in time to go through my process with the French Press. I broke down this past weekend and bought a Keurig. While I could have gotten just a plain coffee maker, I’m really glad that Sweet Husband told me I could spend a little more money. It’s lovely to put the cartridge in the machine in ad two minutes later have a steaming cup of motivation. I’m still not up early enough to write in the morning, but with the blessing of coffee, I’ll get there.

My upbringing. I’m not sure that’s the right word to describe it, but this morning as I listened to my students talk about the brawl they got into last night – one that involved their mothers, their aunties, their uncles…all of them beating the hell out of an 18 year old because she insulted a 13 year old – I was thankful for the environment that I grew up in. The safety and security I experienced, even though there were some things about my childhood that weren’t all that pleasant. In that environment, there was rationality and sensibility. I’m grateful for the people who gave me a chance before I even got started.

Fall. One of the wonderful things about living in South Mississippi is that we have warm weather just about all year round. I think that last winter we turned our furnace on for a total of two weeks throughout the winter. It just didn’t get that cold. A cold front has moved in, and we have lows that are dipping into the 50s and highs that are in the upper 70s. For a moment it feels like fall, reminding me of those far away places where I used to live.

Just a short list.

For what are you thankful this week? What things are wonderful and amazing in your life? Feel free to share in the comments.

Comments

I like the idea of a Thankful Tuesday. There are so many things to be thankful for, it’s a great idea to set aside a day to list a few of them. Going back to work after being away, can be tough, I hope your transition continues to go well. But with a nice cup of joe every morning, you’ll get there 😉

Thank you! I was actually only out of work for a month, but I’ve been away from teaching for a few years and out of full-time classroom teaching for over a decade. It’s been a bit like riding a bicycle, though, and I find that I’m right back into it. The hardest parts are getting up much earlier than I’m used to (there’s a huge difference between 5:00 and 6:00 in the morning) and being away from my husband. I’m starting to have some fun, though, and that makes it all the better 😉

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I'm a teacher, writer, and photographer capturing the magical moments of life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast - putting my experience as a teacher and educational staff developer to work crafting stories that chronicle an experience well-lived.

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